Yeah the gill net closure in MD was good to see. They had already caught guys with about 20,000 lbs of illegaly netted fish. There was recently another incident in NC similar to the one in the video despite the fact that NC changed the regs to 2000 pounds a day instead of 50 fish. Allegedly, NC commercial fishermen were heard over the radio saying they were going to kill as many bass as they could "just to make a point" what point that is I don't know.

PEC54

02-10-2011, 09:52 AM

Yeah the gill net closure in MD was good to see. They had already caught guys with about 20,000 lbs of illegaly netted fish. There was recently another incident in NC similar to the one in the video despite the fact that NC changed the regs to 2000 pounds a day instead of 50 fish. Allegedly, NC commercial fishermen were heard over the radio saying they were going to kill as many bass as they could "just to make a point" what point that is I don't know.
The point their making is to show the mentality of the individuals that make up the commercial fisheries down there. If they are willing to kill every last one of them ,they obviously don't depend on them to make a living,they should be removed from the commercial quota.In reality it was most likely a bunch of yahoos sounding off trying to come off tough.These people think these fish all belong to them,the fish spawn down there and originate from there, they just let us borrow them for a couple months.:Eyecrazy:

juro

02-10-2011, 08:39 PM

This is why we need FEDERAL jurisdiction over migratory species. I have a lot of "small government" tea party friends who may disagree, but small minded state laws aren't doing the job any better than the lack of international control is for bluefin tuna.

Netting of striped bass should be illegal in all waters, period. If commercial fishermen can't catch such a voracious feeding fish as a striped bass with rod and reel they should take up another line of work.

.02

JonC

02-10-2011, 09:43 PM

If the states would simply do what's in their own best interest they would follow the example of what the gulf states did when the redfish crashed from over fishing. They simply figured out that he the fish were worth more for recreation than for commercial harvest and made it a game fish. The disrespect for the resource being demonstrated in NC over the last month should be enough to convince the regulators that these guys are thugs who don't deserve the priviledge to be out there utilizing the bounty of a commonly owned fishery. The practice of high grading was just made illegal a couple of weeks ago but then these guys went right back out and strewed dead fish over several square miles outside Oregon inlet again on Feb 3 just to show their disrespect and contempt, the whole thing is just an unbelievable example of the breakdown of common sense in our government and the tyranny of small noisey special interest groups who give money to ignorant politicians.
Jon

boatdrinks

02-11-2011, 08:23 AM

yeah netting of bass is just ridiculous. I really feel that bass can't support a big commercial fishery, especially a net fishery. These short sighted states that allow netting are really out of control. I was very impressed to see MD close the gill net season and it was good to see NC tighten the regs but apparently the commercial guys don't get it. I've never understood why the commercial fishery is seen as a right and not a privlege. As soon as they fish are in trouble and regs are proposed all the commercial fishermen start crying about "trying to make a living" and their "heritage or way of life". Frankly this behavior is spitting on their heritage and way of life. A lot of industries become obsolete and if commercial striper fishing doesn't want to be one of them they need to clean their act up now.

highway61

02-11-2011, 10:13 AM

Some of you may remember a couple of years ago when there were several articles published by the likes of the NY Times and Discovery reporting that Omega of Houston were netting millions of menhaden each year to be used for the manufacturing of fish oil as a nutritional supplement. Most of the states along the Atlantic coast agreed to outlaw harvesting menhaden except Virginia and North Carolina. Why? Because both states had processing plants. Although, I am a small government guy, there are some public interests that require the action of the federal government. I'm with you Juro, this is one of those interests. I am sure Adam Smith would approve!

Steve

juro

02-11-2011, 10:19 AM

The problem is that states act within their own parochial microcosms and have historically proven to be incapable of seeing the big picture, and continue to prove it over and over again.

The need for federal control does not apply to everything, however the small local government mentality does not apply to everything either - least of all the management of a natural resource that knows no human boundaries.

Meanwhile the carnage continues...

PEC54

02-11-2011, 12:58 PM

Every state wants to take care of their own citizens first, politicians are going to see that the people who elect them into office are happy, happy constituents equal more money in their pockets and re-election.If your in the fish business whether it be the fisherman or the processing company your going to support the hack who's on your side.

bonefishmon

02-12-2011, 11:11 AM

Saw this recently.

http://www.somdnews.com/stories/10272010/indymor174802_32420.shtml

I also saw that President Obama has been practicing his casting skills on the lawn at Camp David. Let's just hope that his East Gallatin venture takes him to Maryland for some casting closer to home. Not too far from the White House. Maybe Jimmy Carter could introduce him to Spruce Creek...................and actually catch a trout.